Digger

Not a bad deal for Eric Staal. Play in the Olympics at the end of his career which should be a good experience and if he plays well he will get one more chance in the NHL to play for the Cup.

It's interesting to me to see the varied opinions on our young centers. Mittelstadt, Thompson, Cozens, Krebs. If there's anything that we should take from this season (using Thompson as the example) is that we will need to wait and see how these guys develop before we try to cement them into lines 1 through 4. These guys all still have quite a bit of upside before reaching their NHL peak. Granato does say that he is trying some of the guys at wing for when he needs to shorten the bench in a tight game and needs the skill in the top 6. I think that Mitts will get a turn to play with Tuch when he's back up to speed (same as Thompson and Cozens did). Quinn, Peterka will get a chance later this season for a few games anyway to show that they can handle the NHL. Patience and lets see how they develop and who has the best chemistry going into 2022-23.

Sad but true. This is not a great looking roster for Canada. Maybe someday we will get to see the best of the best for each country play in a tournament. It's overdue in my opinion.

It's just the ask for Chychrun. I would think there's zero chance that Florida offers up that much or that Arizona could get that big of a haul from any team. I find it surprising that he's on the market but I suppose if they are fishing for a home-run it's not a bad idea to see what's out there. No I don't want to trade Dahlin at this point regardless. I want to see another season to see where we are at with him. I doubt that his value goes down and it will most likely go up. Let's see where we are at next year's trade deadline or off season before giving up on him.

Usually comes down to the same conditions with these contracts. They were worried that they would lose Nurse to FA and Defense were all signing nice big contracts last off season. They also say that the Oilers need to overpay to keep their stars in Edmonton. Most Sabres fans wanted Skinner signed at the time (but most thought the contract was too much after it was signed). Buyers remorse. Ristolainen will get to be a FA this offseason. It will be fun to see where he signs and for how much. Maybe he'll sign a short term low dollar contract to see if he can finally sign with a winner.

He's living the dream.............as a member of the Buffalo Sabres. 😏 Let's hope he keeps playing strong and the youth keep pace. Tuch is a nice addition no doubt.

It was easy to hate on the Islanders for winning the cup multiple years in a row in the 80's but I remember always really loving the way Clark Gillies played the game. God bless him and his family and friends as they remember his life.

In unrelated news it's being reported that the Sabres are quietly lobbying for a change to 40 minute games for the rest of the 2021-22 season with ties determined by a shootout of each of the team's best AHL players.

I'm not picky, I'll take the first two of the top of the list Makar and Ekblad. Thanks very much.

I agree. The relationship between reporters and players go two ways. Both sides want respect for the job they are trying to do. The Sabres have had player / reporter issues in the past too with the Dominik Hasek / Jim Kelley one being one of the hottest.

We played with the lead last game.............and lost. How about a regulation win?

That's a great comparable Curt. When you go through their roster and see the players that they drafted and others that are contributing that came over in trades with some of their veterans. Might be a good thread if someone wants to look at team rebuilds for comparison.

The Pacific division is pretty weak this season for the Sharks but I understand the point that you're trying to make to a point. I'm not sure that I would agree that SJ has gone into a rebuild in the typical definition. Look at their roster. Lots of veterans still on the roster. Maybe LA might be a better team to compare with. I really think looking at team rebuilds is an interesting topic to analyse. How does the Sabres continuous rebuild compare with others that have successfully rebuilt? The easy point is that other teams have managed to keep their talented draft picks (Eichel, Reinhart, etc) on their roster during the rebuild and complete it (at least back to competitive hockey) in a shorter time frame than what we are trying to do. I know there's lots of reasons why we keep failing (changing GM's and vision at the forefront and others).

So you're saying that the Sabres should get a bright and caring RHD veteran defenceman from another country other than the US?

Agreed that we need a player or two for the right side. I know that there's some options that you're identifying in the 2022 draft but it would be so nice to get some sort of veteran presence (or two) that could help Power and Dahlin. I know it may not be easy to find that player but I hope it's a priority.

Always assumed that was the first question asked during the interview. So I guess yes.

Sure bring Mom as well. 😄 I can't imagine having my parents involved. Different generation today for quite a few.

"Timo Meier added a historic chapter to what’s already been a special season for him, setting San Jose's franchise record with five goals in a game." 5 goals in a game is pretty impressive. 1st period hat trick. Nice to see this from time to time. I think that they would really miss Hertl if they move him. Also a nice little fight with Lemieux and Viel.

Maybe Rick will have puppies.

I would like to see what we can find in the AHL or a goalie that's looking for an opportunity to get a chance. Shouldn't have to give up a high level pick for that. What we received was Subban. I have to admit he played a bit better than I expected but still a long ways away from a stop gap reliable #2 goalie. Is that really the best that our analytic guys could come up with? I guess going back to the original post I would agree that yes the injuries to our goalies is crazy ridiculous but if we look at the goalie plan going into the season is was pretty weak. We did not start with a reliable #1 or even a reliable #2. Anderson was a gamble.

Actually as I remember it we weren't getting Zegras for Eichel. The stance on Krebs was a bit softer trying to wait us out.

Yes I agree that goalies used to play a lot more games without so many injuries. There's most likely lots of reasons why they don't anymore. It's certainly devastating for any team when they lose their #1 goalie for any period of time and then the reliance and hope that the backup is ready for the challenge. With the Sabres our plan was Anderson as our #1 (okay it was hard to imagine him playing a high number of games before the season started). UPL wasn't ready to be the backup at the start of the season. Dell was brought in as the default backup if UPL wasn't ready. Dell was really bad in preseason. Tokarski stepped up in preseason and exceeded expectations early on. Subban didn't have great numbers anywhere in recent seasons. Where are we today.............Dell has improved and Houser is a nice story but not an NHL goaltender. With all the analytic guys we have on staff right now can't we find a better option for goal (without having to give up a first)?

Who will Samuelsson play with? Pysyk?

I haven't been following this and don't know the back story and details behind the scenes but yes this looks really concerning for what you would want in having a player fit into the team culture and getting a young player that would need to put his head down, learn and work hard to make it to the NHL.

Miller for a 1st? Always remember that we got a first for Gaustad. Just need the right market and conditions and maybe lots of injuries to the playoff teams needing a right handed D. It's not likely but you never know.